<img class="size-full wp-image-5521 aligncenter" src="http://www.bumpsnbaby.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/portrayal-89189_640.jpg" alt="kajal in infant's eyes" width="500" height="353"/>
I am in Kerala right now along with my daughter. My cousins , relatives and neighbours come to see us . The first question they ask me is “Why is your daughter so plain?”. I wondered “Is there a plain baby and complexed baby ?”. “No”. They continue “ Put kajal in baby’s eyes. She should be like Meenakshi ; you know eyes having the shape of a fish, Kaamakshi; eyes which could seduce anyone”. Oh my god .. She is just a baby and you want her to seduce at this age? Again I wonder. “ Oh no.. Put kajal such that her eyes are stretched/pulled to such an extend that she becomes Meenakshi “. Trust me when I say this I just want to shoot all those who shower such stupid gyan to me!!. I thought of sharing this with you – why I hate kajal in infant’s eyes?
WHY I DISLIKE KAJAL IN INFANT’S EYES ?
I don’t know if “kajaling” a baby is a tradition even in northern parts of India , but in South India its very common. Small cute babies are smeared with kajal in such a way that they end up looking like “Krrooor Singhs” to me all the time.
Dark inked eyebrows , eyes , a beauty spot on the cheeks and one more a bigger dot on the side of the forehead. Next comes the talcum powder effect. Baby’s eyes, eye brows, mouth and entire face is dusted with talcum powder to prevent the kajal from smudging.
Once the baby wipes her face with her hand, it looks amazingly messy . My baby for example looked like a baby panda or a racoon once she was handed over to me after the kajal session by my elders and Amma. I and my Amma have had severe quarrels over this too.
On my next visit to the paediatrician, I asked whether kajal has any benefits to the new born or baby . Pediatrician blasted me for having my baby smeared with kajal even though home made . He advised to refrain from using it on babies as they are more prone to eye infections and rashes. Market bought kajal has lead and other hazardous chemicals as well.
“ You have a girl. She would start using kajal or surma when she grows up to a teenager if she likes. Why making such a mess of your baby now ? ” asked my doctor.
But some of my cousins and relatives still have an answer to all these “ Doctors would say all those , but we have to beautify our baby”. Now you really know why I wrote this post , don’t you ?
Though doctors discourage the use of kajal both home made and ready made, it is still used in many households. On the personal front , I hate the usage of kajal in a baby claiming that she will sleep longer , make her eyes longer, protects her from evil eyes, her eyes bigger and what not !!
Listing down the 5 common questions or myths related to surma or kajal in baby’s eyes.
5 Common Questions or Myths Related to Kajal in Baby’s Eyes:
- Would kajal make eyes and eye brows of a baby longer ?
Answer is a BIG NO !!! The physical features of a baby are completely determined by genes and can’t be altered by applying kajal to baby or stretching the muscles of the eye socket.
My mom and granny had put kajal in my eyes for about 4 years, I still have small eyes.. Please don’t hurt your baby’s eyes for the sake of stretching or beautifying. However your baby’s eyes are , he / she is beautiful !!
- Your baby would sleep longer with kajal in her eyes.
I agree. Babies sleep longer due to the cooling effect kajal provides as it contain almond or castor oil as base. But since babies do sleep for 18-19 hours a day, why make them sleep again for longer periods?
- We make home made kajal. Its safe to use . Isn’t?
NO. Even if its home made , it has carbon which is not good for baby’s eyes. Moreover the finger tips with which the kajal is applied could be infected with germs and cause infection in the eyes of baby.
- Kajal protects our baby from evil eyes.
I don’t know if it helps. If you are so concerned , its better to put a small dot of kajal on the forehead of the baby near the hairline. Why smearing the baby’s face with kajal / surma which could lead to allergies/rashes in the face ?
- Surma or kajal can help baby’s eyes to repair from within.
Oh wow ! Is it ? Why don’t all doctors provide a kajal box / pencil post eye surgery to the patients. Infact I was advised not to use any kajal even if home made post my eye surgery.
If you are like me or in my shoes , faced by cousins and relatives to ‘kajalify’ your baby , ask them if they have washed their hands before taking your baby in their arms. Hygiene is more important for a baby anytime .. As a mother, as a blogger these are the reasons why I hate kajal in infant’s eyes .
How about you ? Any incidents or experiences with your baby as well ? Please share with me.
